A Dream, or God Knows Best.
57
"If we could only trust His holy word,
Affliction's rod we need not ever dread";
"For He will heal the contrite, broken heart";
"Over each life His day and night must pass";
"Oh! there is none, but bears a secret grief";
"For joy and woe go hand in hand through time;
Filling the air with smiles and tears."
At last
The angel opened wide the book of gold.
No name was there, no man himself had changed.
The angel smiled, and pointing to the sky,
Said in a cheering voice like music sweet:
"For those who love and serve the Lord of Hosts,
The gates of Heaven ever stand ajar.
But time is fleeting; prepare the soul
To enter into that Elysium."
And then I saw, oh! wondrous, glorious sight,
The pearly gate standing ajar for me.
I heard a voice like angels singing low:
"In this fair city sorrows are unknown,
Great joy and peace forever here abound.
Strive to come in."
But as I tried to go,
The vision passed away, for I awoke
Amidst this life's accustomed poignant woes;
But I resolved ever to be content,
Affliction's rod we need not ever dread";
"For He will heal the contrite, broken heart";
"Over each life His day and night must pass";
"Oh! there is none, but bears a secret grief";
"For joy and woe go hand in hand through time;
Filling the air with smiles and tears."
At last
The angel opened wide the book of gold.
No name was there, no man himself had changed.
The angel smiled, and pointing to the sky,
Said in a cheering voice like music sweet:
"For those who love and serve the Lord of Hosts,
The gates of Heaven ever stand ajar.
But time is fleeting; prepare the soul
To enter into that Elysium."
And then I saw, oh! wondrous, glorious sight,
The pearly gate standing ajar for me.
I heard a voice like angels singing low:
"In this fair city sorrows are unknown,
Great joy and peace forever here abound.
Strive to come in."
But as I tried to go,
The vision passed away, for I awoke
Amidst this life's accustomed poignant woes;
But I resolved ever to be content,
